UPDATE 2-India sees no sign of joint BRICS IMF candidate yet-sources

* If no BRICS consensus, will support candidate on "merit"
(Adds quote on China)

By Manoj Kumar

NEW DELHI, June 3 (Reuters) - The BRICS group of
fast-growing economies has yet to build consensus behind an
emerging markets candidate to head the International Monetary
Fund, two Indian sources said, a sign that efforts to nominate a
joint candidate may be losing steam.

In a statement on May 24, the BRICS countries had sharply
criticised European officials for suggesting the next IMF head
should automatically be a European, and that efforts were being
made for a common BRICS or emerging markets candidate.

"There is no signal so far" of support around a common
candidate, a senior Indian government official said on Friday,
adding that discussions were still ongoing.

The BRICS grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China,
and South Africa.

Emerging markets powerhouses including China and India have
long clamoured for more clout within the International Monetary
Fund, in line with their growing economic strength.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde visited Brazil
this week as part of a tour to build support for her candidacy
that will also take her to India, China, Russia and Saudi
Arabia. [ID:nN30250368].
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